What Documents Usually Need to Be Notarized?

A document may need notarization because a court, agency, bank, title company, lender, school, employer, business, recording office, or other receiving party wants confirmation that the signer appeared before a notary and completed the required notarial act.

Notarization does not prove that the document is legally correct. It does not prove that the facts inside the document are true. It also does not guarantee that the recipient will accept the document.

The notary’s role is limited to the notarial act, such as identifying the signer, witnessing or acknowledging the signature, administering an oath or affirmation when required, and completing the notarial certificate.

Documents that commonly require notarization may include:

• Affidavits

• Powers of attorney

• Consent forms

• Travel authorization forms

• Real estate documents

• Deeds and deed-related forms

• Business authorizations

• Corporate resolutions

• Identity affidavits

• Financial forms

• School forms

• Employment-related documents

• Contractor forms

• Lien waivers or construction affidavits

• Vehicle-related documents

• Estate or trust-related documents

• Online legal forms

This does not mean every document in these categories can be notarized online or that every recipient will accept remote online notarization.

Affidavits are among the most common documents that need notarization. A sworn affidavit usually involves a signer making a statement under oath or affirmation.

Many affidavits require a jurat, where the signer swears or affirms that the statements are true and signs in the presence of the notary.

Examples may include identity affidavits, residency affidavits, financial affidavits, school affidavits, business affidavits, and court-related affidavits.

Before booking, confirm whether the document needs a jurat, acknowledgment, oath, affirmation, or other specific notarial wording.

A power of attorney often needs notarization because it may give another person authority to act for the signer.

Powers of attorney may involve real estate, banking, business, healthcare, family, travel, or legal matters. Requirements can vary widely depending on the state, recipient, form, and intended use.

Some powers of attorney may also require witnesses. Some may require wet ink. Some may be eligible for online notarization when the recipient accepts it.

A notary cannot tell the signer what powers to grant or whether the form is legally sufficient.

Real estate documents often require notarization because they may be recorded, used in a closing, relied on by a title company, or connected to property rights.

Examples may include:

• Deeds

• Quitclaim deeds

• Warranty deeds

• Closing affidavits

• Owner affidavits

• Occupancy affidavits

• Correction agreements

• Compliance agreements

• Trust or estate property forms

• Property transfer documents

Recording offices, title companies, lenders, and attorneys may have strict requirements. Always confirm online notarization acceptance before the session.

Consent forms may need notarization when the recipient wants proof that the signer personally signed or acknowledged the form.

Examples may include:

• Minor travel consent

• School authorization forms

• Medical authorization forms

• Caregiver authorization forms

• Vehicle authorization forms

• Parental consent documents

• Permission letters

Some consent forms also require witnesses or specific wording. If the form will be used internationally, apostille or embassy requirements may also apply.

Business documents may need notarization when they authorize a person to act, verify a statement, confirm an agreement, or support a transaction.

Examples may include:

• Corporate authorizations

• LLC documents

• Partnership forms

• Business affidavits

• Contractor documents

• Vendor forms

• Board resolutions

• Representative capacity documents

• Commercial real estate documents

If a signer is signing for a company, the document should clearly identify the individual signer and their capacity. A notary verifies the person, not the company’s legal authority.

Financial institutions, agencies, employers, schools, and other recipients may request notarization for certain identity or financial forms.

Examples may include:

• Identity affidavits

• Lost document affidavits

• Banking forms

• Retirement or pension forms

• Beneficiary forms

• Address verification statements

• Insurance-related forms

• Account authorization forms

Financial institutions may have their own requirements for wet ink, original documents, or specific notarial wording.

Look for:

• A notary section

• Notarial certificate wording

• Words like “sworn,” “subscribed,” “acknowledged,” or “before me”

• Instructions saying “must be notarized”

• Signature line near a notary block

• Recipient instructions

• Filing or recording requirements

If the document is unclear, ask the receiving party what type of notarization is required. The notary cannot choose the notarial act when the document or signer instructions are unclear.

Many eligible documents may be notarized online, but online notarization depends on:

• The document type

• The required notarial act

• The signer’s ID

• The platform’s identity verification process

• Witness requirements

• State-specific rules

• Recipient acceptance

• Whether wet ink or original paper is required

• Whether the document will be recorded, filed, or used internationally

Before booking, ask the recipient:

“Will you accept this document if it is notarized through remote online notarization?”

A notary cannot:

• Tell you whether the document is legally valid

• Choose the form for you

• Draft legal language

• Complete legal blanks

• Select a notarial certificate when the document is unclear

• Explain legal consequences

• Decide signer authority

• Guarantee recipient acceptance

• Provide legal advice

The notary can perform the notarial act when the signer, ID, document, platform, and recipient requirements are satisfied.